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When Should I Let My Max Go?

by Stuart
(Las Vegas, Nevada)

My first baby puppy Max who is now 12 has an inoperable tumor inside of his anus. It is now the size of a baseball. The vet gave me the option of surgery - I asked about quality of life and he said because it is in his anal area, there are many blood vessels and there would be a lot of future bleeding - as well as he very well might suffer from bowel incontinence.

He is OK but has lost A LOT of weight and I know that his time here is not very much longer. I made a promise to him that I wouldn't let him suffer. I just don't know how to predict it - he is happy - he eats and he roughhouses a little but now the skin on his crotch area is turning black.

If you have any guidance as to when I will know is the time to take to him the vet to release him from pain I would appreciate it.

I will not let him suffer. I love him but I will let him go to God.

Thank you.

Stuart

Editor's Note:

Visitors to this page may also be interested in our page on Canine Euthanasia.

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Feb 07, 2013
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Toby
by: gm

Hi, my little Shitzu Toby has nasal cancer. It is week four and he wasn't to live past this time. I have him on steroids and supplements to help. His breathing at night has been more than I can stand. I too am ending up with the flu the second time because I am up endless nights with him.

Last night I swore today was the day but today is here and I don't know if I have the courage. My husband wants to wait till he is on his last leg to let him go, so I don't have his support. I wish someone could tell me now is the day. He is still eating and playing a tad. He is only eight and my heart is broken.

Dec 15, 2011
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Struggling
by: Crystal

Hi Stuart

I, too, am in the same situation as you are. I found out 6 weeks ago that my 14 year old Schipperke has a mast cell tumor in her rectum. I opted not to put her through sugery for the same reasons as you. We have her on a high dose of prednisone, which initally shrunk the tumor.

However, two weeks ago, the tumor came back and is larger now (about the size of a golf ball). Because the tumor is in her rectum, she feels that she has to go to the bathroom about every hour. In fact, she has strained so much that she has actually pushed the tumor out of her anus.

Pepee still eats, wags her tail and shows interest in her favorite things, however, she has lost a lot of weight within the last month.

She has had an amazing 13 years (I adopted her when she was 1 and she had a less than desirable life her first year). I do not want her to be in pain and I don't know when I need to release her. I pray every night that I will know when the time is right or that she will peacefully go on her own. All I know is that I cherish every moment I still have with her.

Stuart, I commend you on loving and caring so much for Max that you don't want to sacrifice his quality of life for quantity of life.

Please keep me updated on your situation!

Keeping you and Max in my thoughts.

Sep 19, 2011
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So hard
by: Anonymous

Ugh, you guys, this is all so hard, isn't it?

My mollygirl has leukemia and mast cell, and now rectal prolapse. Her lymph nodes are huge around her head but she still walks with me, has a bounce in her step and thwaps her tail.

I stuggle every day; is it today? She is declining and what I am told is a sick, unhappy dog will not want to get up, will not want to eat... that is their sign to us. So when that time comes, you/we will know it.

I also have a boxer who will have his second skin tumor removed; Ben is 4. One was removed off his ear with no problem, so for the person that is concerned with their boxer, weigh the risks and make sure he's happy. This is my first boxer, and although I know they can have many issues; he is such a wonderful clown... I am in love.

Sep 19, 2011
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Thank you
by: Anonymous

I am so sorry about you own babies - it is a tough call - I am just taking it a day at a time with Max ... to truly love him. I need to make sure his quality of life is a good one - I owe it to him - he has been such a good boy.

Thank you again.

Stuart

Sep 19, 2011
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When Should I Let My Max Go
by: My little 1.5 year old boxer had a mast cell tumor

Hi Stuart, I am so sorry to hear about Max. It is one of the most difficult decisions to have to make. I had to put my 3.5 year old boxer down last year because of a nasal tumor and it nearly killed me, he was such a great dog, but in the end it was what was best for him. I didn't want him to suffer anymore, he was still happy and playful but the bleeding and vomiting blood was too much for me to take to see him like that.

I am now faced with another decision as my new 1.5 year old boxer has a tumor in his ear. We did not want to go with surgery and we are maintaining it with Chinese herbs and a raw diet and keeping our fingers crossed that we have a few more years before that decision has to be made again.

Just remember when the time comes, that Max has lived a full and happy life and that you did what was best for him.

I hope this helps a little. My prayers are with you and Max.

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